Ladies: when exploring cities and crowded areas-do so with a small purse. Thieves are everywhere. Big purses and totes are easy access to pick-pocketers and some will even cut the seams of your bag. Only take a wallet, water, phone, and a map.

Buy a travel belt. Store your extra money, passport, Drivers License, etc. away from your purse/backpack-you wear it under your clothes and only reveal it in privacy (bathroom). Think secret stash.

Traveling to Europe:be sure to look the part. Disguise your tourist status by looking like people in the country you're visiting.